Harden, Zubac Earn NBA Honors in Standout Season for Clippers
Two LA Clippers players received major recognition from the NBA this week for their performances during the 2024–25 season.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Two LA Clippers players received major recognition from the NBA this week for their performances during the 2024–25 season.
Guard James Harden was named to the All-NBA Third Team, marking his eighth career selection and his first since joining the Clippers. Center Ivica Zubac earned a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team—the first of his career—joining elite company in franchise history.
Zubac is now one of just five Clippers to receive All-Defensive honors, alongside Kawhi Leonard (2019–21), Patrick Beverley (2019–20), Chris Paul (2011–17), and DeAndre Jordan (2014–16).
Harden’s Impact
Harden, a Los Angeles native, started all 79 games he played this season, averaging 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.49 steals in 35.3 minutes per game.
He was the only player in the league to rank in the top 10 in total points (10th), assists (3rd), steals (8th), and three-pointers made (tied for 9th). Among guards, he was one of only two to average at least 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.
Harden had 52 games with 20 or more points, 12 games with 30+, and four games over the 40-point mark. His 50-point night against Detroit on March 5 was a season highlight and marked the first-ever 50-point game at Intuit Dome.
This season, he also climbed from 20th to 11th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, passing legends like Tim Duncan, Oscar Robertson, and Moses Malone.
With Harden leading the charge, the Clippers posted a 50–32 record, notching their 14th straight winning season and finishing fifth in the Western Conference.
Zubac Anchors Defense
Zubac, a native of Croatia, played all 80 games as a starter and averaged career highs in points (16.8), rebounds (12.6), and minutes (32.8). His rebounding numbers led the NBA, totaling 1,010 boards—joining a short list of Clippers greats to do so, including DeAndre Jordan, Michael Cage, and Swen Nater.
Defensively, Zubac helped the Clippers achieve the third-best defensive rating in the league (109.4) and fifth-best net rating (4.9). LA held opponents under 100 points in 20 games, tied for second-most in the NBA.
Zubac also finished third in defensive win shares (among players with at least 65 games played) and tied for ninth in plus-minus (+514), reflecting his value on both ends of the floor.
He joins Toumani Camara (Portland), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis), and Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City) on the All-Defensive Second Team.
